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The Week in Pictures: May 4-10, 2013

In the past seven days, a new analysis shows that just before a black hole forms, a dying star may generate a distinct burst of light that will allow astronomers to witness the birth of a new black hole for the first time; the Herschel Space Observatory has made detailed observations of hot molecular gas that may be orbiting or falling toward the supermassive black hole lurking at the center of our galaxy; and scientists were able to detect discrete concentrations of neutral hydrogen emerging out of what was thought to be a mainly featureless field of gas between the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies; and more.

Catching the birth of a black hole

According to a new analysis, just before a black hole forms, a dying star may generate a distinct burst of light that will allow astronomers to witness the birth of a new black hole for the first time. Learn more »

Scientists were able to detect discrete concentrations of neutral hydrogen emerging out of what was thought to be a mainly featureless field of gas between the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies. Learn more »

Exotic atoms hold clues to unsolved physics puzzle at the dawn of the universe

The first direct evidence of pear-shaped nuclei in exotic atoms could advance the search for a new fundamental force in nature that could explain why the Big Bang created more matter than antimatter. Learn more »